Ontario has gone through some roller-coaster ride when it comes to beer price after the government liberalized the beer market, paving the way for more beer deliveries to Ontarians. But how much of this has led to savings? How much is a case of 24 cans now worth in Ontario?

In 2024, the Ontario government halted the planned 4.6% increase to the beer basic tax and LCBO mark-up rates that was scheduled for March 1, 2024. This freeze, now extended until March 1, 2026, has been in place since 2018, resulting in approximately $200 million in relief over six years .​

This short-lived relief was quickly halted by President Trump’s threat of aluminum tariffs, followed by Canadian counter-tariffs. While beer prices have not yet reacted to this new inflationary pressure, a higher cost of input such as aluminum and barley is sure to exert pressure on prices.

Although beer prices had remained stable during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, recent months have seen a significant inflation rate, reaching as high as seven percent at times. This article examines the current state of beer prices in Ontario and the factors influencing the rising costs for consumers.

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How Much is the Average Case Price in Ontario?

A study by Le Temps d’une Bière analyzed beer prices across all ten provinces across a large array of distinct stores, including a sample of 1000 beers from Ontario.

In Ontario, the study found the average cost of a case of 24 x 355 ml beers is $50.73 CAD in 2025. The average price of a pack of 24 x 473 ml cans was $61.83 CAD.

As of January 2025, the cost of a case of 24 bottles of Molson Canadian was $42.90 CAD. Prices ranged from a low of $35.50 CAD (Laker Ice) to a high of $79.25 CAD (8.6 Extreme). Most standard domestic lagers (e.g., Molson Canadian, Coors Light) were priced between $38 and $42 CAD.

Interestingly, despite the expansion of alcohol retail licenses beyond the Beer Store, none of the five private grocery chains surveyed by Le Temps d’une Bière sold beer in packs of 24. However, Zehrs, the Real Canadian Superstore, Loblaws, and Metro were all offering packs of 30 x 355 ml beers.

Ontario ranked as the sixth most expensive province to buy beer in 2025, far behind Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, but slightly ahead Prince Edward Island, Quebec and New Brunswick.

Average cost of packs of 6, 12 and 24 across beer stores in Ontario

The average costs for a pack of 24 beer cans in the rest of Canada ranges from $38 in Québec to $62 in Prince Edouard Island. The Coors Beer Brewing Company produces one of the most affordable beers in the province, at just about $42 for a case of 24 cans. For the full details of beer prices across key chains in Canada, see this article.

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What are the cheapest beers at the Beer Store?

Every month or so, the Beer Store publishes a full listing of prices per article, including per beer pack. Looking at the late July listing, it looks like the cheapest case of 24 is neither Budweiser or Molson. Amazingly, the most affordable beers are not always what you would expect.

With the end of the Beer Store Monopoly, where is it cheaper to buy beer?

Beer prices are still lowest at the Beer Store and the LCBO. Le Temps d’une Bière analyzed the price of over 800 beers sold accross 7 stores in Ontario in December 2024 and found that prices for any pack of beer are still lower at the Beer Store. In Private stores, the Real Canadian Superstore and Zehrs come out as close seconds.

Average Prices for Packs of 6, 12 and 24 across Ontario

Cheapest 24 packs of Beer at the Beer Store

1. Modelo especial: 33$ for a case of 24 cans
2. Tomorrow Canadian Ale: 33$ for a case of 24 cans
3. Pivovar Nova Paka: 32$ for a case of 24 cans
4. Waterloo IPA: 31$ for a case of 24 cans
5. Erdinger Weisbreau: 31$ for a case of 24 cans
6. Corona: 28$ for a case of 24 bottles
7. Sleeman Breweries: 27$ for a case of 24 cans
8. Budweizer zero: 24$ for a case of 24 cans/bottles

Average price changes in past 5 years

Table 1: Average Case Price in Canada

Table 2: Average Case Price for 24 Can of Budweiser (2023)

Where Can I Buy Beer in Ontario in 2025?

In 2024, the Ontario government expanded the sales of beer, cider, wine and liquor outside the LCBO and the Beer Store. In total, over 4700 Convenience Stores now have a license to sell alcohol, along with 1200 groceries stores.

Grocery stores with a license to sell alcohol include:

• Costco
• Food Basics
• Foodland
• Freshco
• Loblaws
• Metro
• Real Canadian Superstore
• Sobeys
• Wallmart
• Whole Foods Markets
• Zehrs

Find the Cheapest Beer in Ontario

Beer Boss has been tracking beer prices since 2020. Use its Best Value Analyzer the find the best price value for your beer style.

In December 2020, the median price of a single tall can (473ml) of beer was $3.15. Three years later in December 2023, it was $3.45—a 9.5% increase. In 2020, $2 tall cans were common, but in 2023, we saw the last $2 tall cans disappear. The selection has narrowed significantly, with only around five beers offering tall cans for under $2.35.

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